May 20, 2019

Rocky River City Council Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting May 20, 2019 Page 1 of 4

CITY OF ROCKY RIVER

May 20, 2019

The meeting of the Committee-of-the-Whole was called to order by Mr. Moran, President of Council, at 7:00 p.m. in the David J. Cook Council Chambers.

Council Members Present: Mr. Shepherd, Mr. O’Donnell, Mr. Furry,

Mr. Sindelar, Mr. Klym, Mr. Moran

Absent: Mr. Hunt

Administration: Mayor Bobst, Mrs. Costello

Law Director: Mr. Bemer

The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

MAYOR’S REPORT:

The Mayor thanked the Rocky River Police Department along with the organizers of the Rite Aid Marathon for a very well organized marathon this Sunday. The city appreciates the support of the marathon organizers for the police department as they provided traffic control services. A special thank you also to all the residents who came out to cheer on the runners.

This Saturday was the Community Planting Event hosted by the Chamber of Commerce called “Strengthening Our Roots”. The Mayor thanked Councilman Klym who had a lot to do with this effort. A big thank you to the large group of individuals that gathered from the Chamber of Commerce, Ground Works Landscaping who provided the landscaping plan, Rich Snyder from the Service Department, Dave Ford from Recreation and Mike Balla from Facilities who were all there on Saturday. Thank you also to Big Mouth Donuts for providing donuts and coffee. Thanks to all the volunteers who worked very hard. It looks beautiful.

This weekend there was a dedication for a marker placed at Lakewood Park Cemetery denoting the remains of individuals that were moved from the Wagar and Kidney Cemeteries to Lakewood Park Cemetery many years ago. This included members of the Wagar, Kidney, Calkins and Howe Families. Gay Christenson, from the Rocky River Historical Society, spent a great deal of time researching genealogical records and speaking with family members in order to name several of the individuals. A grave marker was dedicated on Saturday in honor of these families and others buried there. The Mayor shared a quote from President Kennedy, who once noted, “The heart and soul of a country is revealed not only by the men and women it produces, but those that they honor and those that they remember”. The Mayor was proud to be a part of this dedication. The staff and crew at Lakewood Cemetery along with the Board of Trustees and Sandy Sill have done great work with the fifty-five beautiful acres of Lakewood Park Cemetery to find peace and comfort.

The Mayor attended a ceremony at Metro Health today along with members of the Rocky River Fire Department. This was the Metro Health Award Ceremony honoring Excellence in Emergency Medical Services. Rocky River was given a 2019 Award inscribed with “Recognition of the Individuals who Demonstrated Excellence in the Pre Hospital Aspects of Patient Care. Metro Health gratefully acknowledges their outstanding skills, dedication and commitment”. This award was to the Rocky River Fire Department, Captain Kevin Bednarski, Firefighter Dave Haas and Firefighter Eric Fledderjohann. This award was given in recognition of their work with the Fairview Rocky River City Council Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting May 20, 2019 Page 2 of 4

Park Fire and Police Departments during a horrific accident several months ago. These three firefighters were at the scene and accepted the award for the entire Rocky River Fire Department.

Key Bank had a number of volunteers in the community over the last week. Employee volunteers from Key Bank helped two of the city’s seniors with spring cleanup, planting of flowers and laying down mulch. The help was very much appreciated by the seniors and the Senior Center.

The Senior Center Art Show is up and running and will be ongoing until June 17th. The Senior Play Readers have three performances this week. “Seniors Go to New York City” which is reminiscent of their last play “Seniors Go to Camp”. The shows are almost all sold out.

The Mayor and Director Costello received a letter from the Ohio Department of Transportation announcing an increase in purchasing salt to $73.28 per ton. Rocky River currently has a full barn and it was purchased prior to the escalating price. In 2017-18 it was $29.12 per ton, and 2018-19 it was $64.76 per ton with an escalator in excess of $79.00. If the city took the maximum order of 2,750 tons, the budget for that would be $201,000. The cost of salt is becoming significant and a major consideration for the budget. The gas tax that was recently increased goes into an account to pay for salt.

Memorial Day Weekend Events: This Saturday at Lakewood Park Cemetery, beginning at 8:30 a.m., community members are encouraged to join the Joint Veterans Council and other volunteers to place more than 3,800 flags on the graves of veterans throughout the cemetery. After that, the American Legion invites everyone to the American Legion Post on Lake Road for a pizza and hot dog lunch. On Sunday evening at the Gazebo in City Hall Park, the Jazz Band will perform beginning at 7:00 p.m. On Monday, the parade begins promptly at 10:00 a.m. at the high school, proceeding west on Detroit Road to Lakewood Park Cemetery followed by the Memorial Day Ceremony. Honorable Michael E. Jackson, a retired Judge from the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Veterans Court will speak. The Marching Band and the F.O.P Lodge 25 Honor Guard will be there. There is plenty of parking for residents at the Presbyterian Church so everyone is encouraged to attend this important and meaningful occasion.

The Mayor announced the passing of Dave Winterich, the city’s former Service Commissioner, who worked for the city for many, many years. Dave passed away about a week ago, and the Mayor extends her and the city’s sympathies to his family. Visitation is Friday with his funeral on Saturday.

The Mayor also mentioned that she had one of the best mornings last Friday welcoming all the third graders to City Hall. They are bright and engaged young men and women. They know their three branches of government, the functions of each and the balance of government. They know how to be a good citizen. The Mayor asked the students to write to her and tell her if they were “Mayor for the Day” what they would do to improve or change the city. Their voices are important and some of the best initiatives that have been done, have come from students.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: Planning, Zoning and Economic Development: President Moran said that there was a Design Review Board meeting this evening. There is a Planning Commission Meeting tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. with one item on the agenda and a Board of Zoning and Building Appeals Meeting this Thursday with also one item on the agenda beginning at 7:00 p.m.

COMMUNICATION & ANNOUNCEMENTS: President Moran announced that there will not be a City Council Meeting next Monday in observance of Memorial Day. City Council will hold their meeting next Tuesday, May 28th beginning at 7:00 p.m. Trash pick-up will also be pushed back by one day. Rocky River City Council Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting May 20, 2019 Page 3 of 4

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

ORDINANCE NO. 88-18: Mr. Moran said that this ordinance pertains to the rezoning of the property on Wooster Road from a Public Facility to an R-2. The city received an email at the end of last week from the Developer who plans to pull his request and will not be moving forward with this project. This item will not be read for a third time but will be pulled from the agenda at next week’s Legislative Meeting.

AMENDED ORDINANCE NO. 30-19: Mr. Moran said a third car has been added to this ordinance bringing the total of this ordinance to $86,931 for three vehicles. All three vehicles will be purchased from the POPAS Fund. Equipment from the current vehicles will be transitioned into these new vehicles. This will be read for a third time next week.

ORDINANCE NO. 31-19: Mr. O’Donnell said that this ordinance is a supplemental appropriation to amend the current budget ordinance. One of the police cars just discussed is included in this ordinance. The additional third police car will be purchased out of the POPAS Fund, which is incorporated in this exhibit. In addition to that, there is a corresponding decrease out of the equipment purchase because of this police car. There is also a change of $40,000 in the General Fund for additional overtime that was paid to the Fire Department. There is also a $9,600 increase in the Fire Pension relating to the benefits with the $40,000 change. There will be three full reads on this ordinance.

ORDINANCE NO. 32-19: This ordinance is scheduled for a second read next week. It authorizes the Administration to enter into a temporary two-year lease for the housing of the administration of the Police Department during the construction of the new Police Department. Council received a hand out this evening with a slight change of the lease terms so this ordinance will need to be amended with a substitution of a new exhibit. The change is in item 5 with the addition of: Right of entry is subject to the need for maintaining security consistent with Police Department operations.

ORDINANCE NO. 33-19: Mr. Sindelar said this is a request for a purchase of one 2020 International Single & Tandem Axle Cab and Chassis under the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Cooperative Purchasing Contract. Mr. Sindelar said this vehicle will be replacing a 1998 vehicle. This new truck will be more modern and have disc brakes that are state of the art and is also an automatic. This will be able to handle muddy terrain when delivering waste to the landfill. This was included in the budget.

ORDINANCE NO. 34-19: Mr. Furry said that this ordinance is a Memorandum of Understanding with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health and the City of Rocky River. This is separate from the main agreement. This allows their technicians to take samples from the storm sewers outfall and test the results. This is a proposed three-year term at the cost of $2,612.00 annually. This is an increase of $80.00. This will have two more reads.

ORDINANCE NO. 35-19: Mr. Moran said that this ordinance would authorize the Mayor to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Cuyahoga County’s Mass Notification System and the City of Rocky River regarding the Ready Notify Mass Notification System. This has been read once and will be read for a second time at next week’s Legislative Meeting.

 Mr. Furry asked how much longer there will be dual notification. The Mayor said there is no dual notification. The Mayor asked Mr. Furry to let her know if he is receiving dual notification.

ORDINANCE NO. 36-19: Mr. Moran stated that this ordinance is for the elected Councilmember’s compensation. The compensation moves from $12,000 to $12,500 beginning January 1, 2020 and ending December 31, 2021. The increase is $500.00 and there has not been an increase in the last six years.

 Mr. Klym stated that he is not in favor of this ordinance and he will be voting no on this and the next ordinance. When the salary was increased six years ago, it was specifically to address changes in the

Rocky River City Council Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting May 20, 2019 Page 4 of 4

PERS system. He feels that was appropriate. To his mind, an increase even though it has been six years is not justified for this position. Mr. Klym thinks that the Mayor’s and Law Director’s ordinance is different because they are forgoing opportunities to earn wages in other positions. For Council he feels that the current salary is appropriate.

 Mr. Sindelar concurs with everything Mr. Klym just stated.

 Mr. Moran feels that this is a nominal increase in a six year period. Mr. Moran has researched surrounding localities and will share this information with Council.

ORDINANCE NO. 37-19: This ordinance is for the elected Council President’s compensation. The compensation moves from $13,500 to $14,000, an increase of $500 beginning January 1, 2020 and ending December 31, 2021.

ORDINANCE NO. 38-19: This ordinance is for the elected Law Director’s compensation. The compensation increases $1,500 beginning January 1, 2020 and ending December 31, 2021. Mr. Moran will bring some comparisons to discuss when Mr. Hunt returns at the next meeting.

ORDINANCE NO. 39-19: This ordinance is for the elected Mayor’s compensation. The compensation increases $4,500 beginning January 1, 2020 and ending December 31, 2021. This increase barely puts this position ahead of Directors reporting to this position.

NEW BUSINESS:

ORDINANCE NO. 40-19: This authorizes the administration to renew a contract for one year with Admiral Products. Admiral Products does the printing for the city including sewer bills, recreation brochures, the Quill, letterhead, envelopes and some printing for the Municipal Court. This vendor has been reliable and dependable. When this has gone out to bid, the city has had trouble getting bids. Admiral Products has locked in their price since 2014.

ORDINANCE NO. 41-19: This is for the purchase of a 2019 Chevy Malibu for the Senior Center, from the State Cooperative Purchasing Contract. This will replace a 2006 Impala and is in the budget. This will be used for senior transportation and the seniors prefer the sedan for their transport needs. The emergency language allows the city to order and receive the replacement as soon as practical.

ORDINANCE NO. 42-19: This authorizes the administration to enter into a contract with Logicalis for a network upgrade of the firewall, switches, wireless access points and security cameras. IT Director Chris Grau has offered to attend a Council meeting to discuss this ordinance. The solution will be built around the Cisco Meraki cloud managed platforms for Switching, Wireless Security and Surveillance cameras. It will allow visitors to the city to have wireless access in the Civic Center, Memorial Hall and other public spaces on the City Hall Campus. It will also help with the vandalism at the city’s parks. The breakdown of cost will be about $95,000 for hardware, $34,000 for software and $30,000 for professional services. Logicalis will help train and will also be available for troubleshooting. Mr. Grau did create a Request for Proposal that was advertised in the Plain Dealer. Four responses were received scored and ranked and Logicalis received the highest ranking. Mr. Grau and Director Costello met and negotiated a reduction in the cost for professional services.

 Director Costello will have Mr. Grau present at the next Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting on June 3rd.

 Mr. Furry asked what the annual licensing fee cost will be. The Mayor will get that information.

Rocky River City Council Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting May 20, 2019 Page 5 of 4

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS: NONE

As there was no further business by members of Council, the meeting was adjourned at 7:37 p.m.

________________________

James W. Moran Susan G. Pease

President of Council Clerk of Council